Extract

Jay put her head on one side and looked at them each in turn.
    ‘Oh dear,’ she said. ‘It looks as though we have a stalemate, because until I know who you are and why you’ve brought me here, conversation is out.’
    More silence.
    She gave them another thirty seconds or so and then she picked up a chair and took it to the window. Sitting down, she concentrated on her breathing to try and bring her blood pressure under control. Breathe in and hold, breathe out. And repeat. As she breathed, she came to a decision. For as long as it took, she would sit here in silence and let them fester. She refused to be intimidated.
 

    The minutes ticked past.
    Behind her she heard the older man clear his throat. ‘I’m Patrick Kingsman.’
    She glanced across at him.
   ‘I’m with the foreign office.’
    He gestured at the sandy-haired man on his left. ‘This is Alistair Ingram. And this –‘ to the woman ‘- is Laura Sharpe. Both are on detachment to the foreign office.’
    Her spirits promptly plummeted. For foreign office, she thought glumly, read M16.
    She’d been kidnapped by spooks.

Background

I chose to set my book in the UK because not only did I want to get to know my home country better, but I wanted to understand organised crime and the huge impact it has on our society. Also, human trafficking has been in the news a lot lately, and I didn’t fully understand how anyone promised a fantastic job in London could end up as a sex slave. Surely they could run away? Go to the police? But when I went to Macedonia I realised it wasn’t that easy. The girls are lied to about everything, and fed stories that the British police will beat them and throw them into jail if they’re found without the right papers. Not being able to speak English, and terrified of the authorities, they’re immediately trapped into a life of degradation and fear.

When I left Macedonia I saw an advertising campaign trying to alert women that the ads for ice-cream vendors during the summer months in London were scams. How many impressionable young girls will get the message remains to be seen, but the more we talk about this issue, and write about it, then the more chance we have that they’ll hear what really happens when they come to the supposed land of plenty.
 

'Well-researched, shocking, moving and exciting, Gone Without Trace shows that a British writer can take on the most vigorous of the Americans.'
          Times Literary Supplement

'The story moves along at a terrific pace. Carver’s best book to date, and as the first four were terrific, it makes this a “must read”.'
          Mystery Women

'A terrific page-turner. Heart-stopping action and a heroine with guile as well as guts.'
          Harlan Coben

'Loved it. Hard, fast and real - a solid gold A-grade thriller with a tremendous story and a great lead character . . . Capt. Jay McCaulay is going to be one of the best.'
          Lee Child

'This was a book I picked up with a certain amount of trepidation. After all, the subject matter is deeply unpleasant. It encompasses human trafficking, rape, prostitution, and of course murder. In the hands of some writers, this would become merely an excuse for gratuitous violence, with kinky details being thrown at the reader - but CJ Carver is a professional writer who is reaching her own level and setting the bar for many aspiring thriller writers. The book is excellently well-paced, with believable and sympathetic characters. CJ Carver has created a vivid lead character and credible plot. Apparently Jay will become an identifiable character in a new series of books. Well, this hoary old author is looking forward to the next in the series. A highly recommended read.'
          Mike Jecks, Shotsmag

'A realistic, pacy thriller tackling relevant human issues that are testing the political and military mindsets across emerging European States. Set against the post-NATO stabilisation of SW Europe, CJ Carver creates powerful images of human trafficking, the dark forces behind it, and those characters caught in emotional battles trying to make the difference. A great read!'
          Howard Parker, Amazon

'CJ Carver’s fifth novel is unquestionably one of the most thrilling rides any reader is likely to experience. Taut, sharp and deeply disturbing at times, here is a novel guaranteed to keep the midnight oils burning through until dawn . . . Not only does CJ know how to entertain and thrill with her writing, she also informs in a way that is never dull or lecturing. All of the events – and circumstances – held within the pages are true and the power of her descriptive prose makes readers want to find out more and to try and prevent the horrifying trade that is human trafficking. This is a truly wonderful read.'
          Chris High, Shotsmag

'Jay McCaulay is gutsy, resourceful . . . something like a female James Bond, but none the less likeable for that . . . she is a splendid addition to the gallery of robust Action Women.'
          Laura Wilson